as a crue

o the rug, but her upper body didn't find the carp

d across Adrian

late wool of his trousers. The scent of him-sandalwood, expensive scotch, and somethi

suspended. She looked up,

went rigid, as if he had been

e reacti

ceral, almost violent rejection. His hands clamped onto

t o

ds were

lcohol-soaked rug. Humiliation burned her cheeks hotter than a fever. S

ic, repetitive motion, as if trying to wipe away invisible filth. His f

rms. "The Wise family women are just as cheap

d at Carter, hoping for... som

Adrian, and his eyes were wide. Not with fear

nthia. "Call the police. I want them all charged

ward from the shadows-Miles, his execu

of Miles's trousers. "Please! Mr. Clemons! Don't c

hat could strip paint. "You? You look like

l do anything! Look at her! She's obedi

. The air left her lungs. "Carter, sto

erate grin back to Adrian. "She's never been in trouble. No re

an p

n reaching for his own

oor, then shifted his gaze to the woma

mess, her coat was cheap polyester, and she

, there was a spark of absolute indignation. She was bit

entless. The trust fund vote is next week, Adrian. The board is nervous. They want stabil

mistake his father had made wi

He needed a prop. A mannequin. Someone who had no power, no connections, and no

at Cinth

criminal. They were drowning in deb

as pe

is hand. "Miles.

, phone in

es crunching on the shards. He stopped in front of Cinthia. H

His voice was devoid of emotion

ck hurt from the angle. "

ead slightly toward

falling open. "What? Adria

s. Quinton to her car. And ensure she understands that if a word of this lea

skirt and fled, Miles following h

now, save for Carter

d his hands again, though he hadn't touched anything, and th

ter. "You want t

head bobbed like a toy.

d a long fing

her

heart stop

y were cold, empty tunnels. "You give her to me for one

ven hesitate. "